The city is awash with museums and art galleries but one of the most popular and well known is, of course, the Louvre and for good reason. It is not only the largest museum in the world, but also the most visited. Aside from its 35,000 art and sculpture exhibits, the building itself is an attraction and the iconic glass pyramid makes it instantly recognizable.

It is home to the Mona Lisa and since 2005 it has banned photography as the scrum to take photos was impairing others’ enjoyment of the pieces in the museum. If you are visiting at a particularly busy time of year, it can be a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.

Entry is free on Friday after 6pm for the under 26s. If you are going to be regular visitor to this treasure trove, think about buying an annual pass, a ‘Carte Louvre Jeunes’, available for the under 26s and the under 30s in two price brackets.

Another must-see in Paris is probably the most instantly recognizable symbol of the city, the Eiffel Tower. It was meant to be temporary structure but has been a permanent part of Paris since 1889 and at 300 meters it was the world’s tallest structure until the Empire State Building was erected in New York in the 1930s. Make your way to the viewing platform at the top via the vintage lifts and in the right conditions you can see as far as 65km away. There is also an exhibition space, souvenir shops and a café and restaurant.

Close behind the Eiffel Tower in iconic status is the Arc de Triomphe on the Place Charles de Gaulle. It is an important symbol of France’s military history, having been commissioned by Napoleon in honour of his army’s achievements.

In the centre of the Arc de Triomphe is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which lies below an eternal flame. If you can, time your visit to witness the ceremony which takes place every evening to relight the flame. There is also a museum inside and you can make your way to the roof for some fantastic views of the city. It is open daily and is free to under 18s.

For a macabre experience, descend into the bowels of the city to see Les Catacombes, 3,000 kilometres of tunnels whose walls are stacked with femur bones and skulls. The tunnels were used as a burial chamber for six million people to prevent the spread of disease in the 18th century as cemeteries became dangerously full.

Visit if you dare, but be aware the tunnels are damp and cramped, with temperatures around 14 degrees centigrade. Les Catacombes are located on 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy and are open Tuesday to Sunday. A tour will take around 45 minutes and it is free for under 14s.

If you have frightened the children in Les Catacombes, let them have some inquisitive fun at La Citie des Sciences et de l’Industrie. Children love this modern science museum, not least for the chance to experience weightlessness.

This is a truly interactive experience with numerous hands-on games to try. The Geode Imax cinema shows 3D science-related films inside a huge golf-ball structure. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and is located on La Villette, 30 Avenue Corentin-Cariou.

Take the train from central Paris to Euro Disney in 40 minutes for a great day out for the kids. Two parks cater for younger and older children, offering thrilling rides and adventure, numerous restaurants and the option to stay over if you want to do it all again the next day. A fast-pass ticket is recommended for the most popular rides.

To visit a place full of splendour, take the 20km train journey out to the Palace of Versailles. This is a complex full of history and was the seat of political power from 1682 to 1789. This is where Louis XIV lived in luxury and splendour. Take in the opulent interiors, the beautifully landscaped gardens. You could also attend a ballet or classical music performance, which take place about twice a week.

Spend a day exploring the historic district of Le Marais, or The Marsh. An aristocratic area, it is home to some of Paris’s most outstanding buildings of historical and architectural importance. It can be found on the right bank of the Seine and its cobbled streets are filled with museums and elegant architecture. You can also visit Places des Vosges and see Victor Hugo’s apartment.

Spend a magical evening at the ballet at Palais Garner. The building itself is a wonderful place and has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Inside, you can marvel at the sumptuous décor, mirrors, parquet floors, marble, stucco and sculptures and paintings by Baudry. Outside, there are music- and dance-themed sculptures and in the 200-seat auditorium you can become entranced by the ballet itself.

Finally, one of the most interesting and original things to try out in Paris is to be a Parisian for a Day, or ‘Un Parisian d’un Jour’. Simply sign up online to meet a local volunteer who will show you bits of Paris you might not otherwise see in a three-hour walk. There is a maximum of six people per group and it’s free, unless you want to make a donation to continue this great service.

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There are approximately 1000 paintings, 2500 drawings and 2500 engravings there. It will take you an hour to get there from Paris. The extravagant architecture is something that can’t be found everywhere. The view the park of the castle offers makes it a great place for lovers of drawing and painting, who can sit there for as long as they want and simply draw. Note that not always those paintings will end up as nature or castle related. The park includes the French style garden with fabulous fountains and ponds designed by Andre Le Notre. The garden is attractive  especially during summertime. The grounds are open every day except for Tuesday. Between the April-October period it is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Many couples even organize their wedding ceremony here though it can cost them an arm and a leg. But isn’t it worth? I believe it is. Not every girl can boast of having a royal wedding.

Chantilly has a rich library and a reading room available only via prior appointment. Reservations are from 9:15am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. Numerous books, which dominate the classical literature, are nestled here and the castle can really proud of having this kind of treasures. The library was established in the years of 1876 and 1877 in the Petit Chateau and was made to be a room both for reading and working. The library includes a most valuable collection of the 19th and 20th century French books and manuscripts, therefore the castle presents great value for international history and culture.

Lastly, Chantilly Castle is place for a most pleasant walk, which offers a perfect opportunity to explore the medieval secrets of the history. So binevenu to Chantilly!

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Saint-German-en-Laye (the source is in French) is a french royal castle and is situated west of Paris in the Yvelines department. The construction of the castle was initiated in 1124 by Louis VI, and it was planned to be a hunting lodge in the forests of St. Germain. Present Sainte Chapelle was built by Philip II, and it consists of three bays and an apse. It also has portals and a rose window.

This green city is nestled in a forest of 3500 hectares and has been the favorite residence of many kings of France as well as the birthplace of Louis XIV. The castle-museum with its outstanding terrace creates a divine picture. At a certain moment you might even start questioning if human hands could really create that. It will seem you have appeared in the medieval times. Isn’t it great?

The center of the present-day castle is St. Germain Church built in 1163. Once there was a big monastery complex the remains of which can still be found there. If you are interested in Gothic style, there you are because the entire interior is the perfect illustration of that style.

The garden with lots of trees and colorful flowers is but fabulous. You can simply sit somewhere there and admire the huge architectural wonder and why not, take amazing photos of that indescribably beautiful place.

And lastly, the halls of Saint Germain are full of paintings featuring French kings and various sculptures by world-known sculptors. It’s something you will definitely love. So don’t hesitate visiting Saint Germain, which is undoubtedly a most desirable escape from the busy life of crowded Paris.

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Palais Garnier is situated at the northern end of the Avenue de l’Opera in the IX arrondissement of Paris. When the designer was building this miracle his goal was to shock and impress not only his patron Napoleon III and the elite of Paris but also ordinary Parisian people who could feel the power of France through this gigantic building with its spectacular and extravagant facade. And he did that.

Paris Opera is an architectural treasure for the entire humanity because this cultural venue has an essential role in the art life. The building is designed by Charles Garnier. The majestic facade makes it even more beautiful. The Italian auditorium with a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall makes people enjoy every detail and explore the alluring architectural solutions.

A big chandelier embellished with thousands of lights decorates the huge hall promising shining performances and breathtaking emotions. The building, which has been renovated for many times since 1881, is an ideal example of the 19th century architecture with its metallic structure. The foyers of the Opera House were designed not just to be foyers. With various mosaics, mirrors and sculptures they were a perfect place for a rest during the intervals of the performances.

Until the opening of the popular Bastille Opera House, the Palais Garnier used to house only ballet. Afterward, it became an original academy for music, dance and opera.

The visitors will also enjoy the small gallery in the Opera House, which usually arranges different exhibitions.

Sooner or later great ideas always turn into reality. Such was the case with this opera house, which will hardly ever fail to attract people with its glamor appearance and architectural details. If you want your child to get the whole idea the word “culture” carries take him to Palais Garnier, House of Singing Paris.

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The building in which the museum is situated is a large 17th century French style mansion and is nestled in very quiet surroundings. Even if you are not fond of art you will enjoy this place abundant with colorful paintings and other works by the famous artist.

During his meaningful life Picasso has created thousands of valuable masterpieces, among them paintings, drawings, sculptures and even poetry. Having gathered most of them in one place this museum is a great way to not only get acquainted with the valuable pieces of art but also to explore and study them to the full. It presently features over 230 paintings, 85 ceramics, 300 drawings and 191 sculptures and different manuscripts. Picasso is the most stolen artist in the world. As his signature is recognizable and the works are very valuable the stolen works can be sold at very high prices. This museum is a little bit different from the rest because it includes many of the artist’s personal works of artist. Things the artist used to keep only for himself can be found as well.

From April to September the museum is open from 9:30am to 6 pm, while between the October-March period it’s open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The price of the ticket is  €7.70 but if you are under 18 you won’t have to pay. On the first Sunday of every month the entrance is free for everyone, so if you are lucky enough to appear there at exactly this time or to have everything accurately planned, then you can take advantage of free admission.

The museum is now being renovated to become more fashionable and attractive for its visitors. Check out the Pablo Picasso Museum website to see when it will open again.

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The National Museum of the Middle Ages is located in the center of gorgeous Paris, on the left bank of the Seine. The museum represents two periods: Antiquity and the Medieval Period. Consequently, you will learn the history of France dating from the 6th century BC to the early 16th century AD. The museum boasts of one of the biggest medieval collections in the world. It has a beautiful garden to have a rest and enjoy artistic atmosphere. If offers an incredible collection of items representing Gothic sculptures and paintings, illuminated manuscripts and stained glass windows, tapestries and fabrics from the Middle Ages.

The Museum was founded in 1843 by a man who was passionate about the Middle Ages: Alexandre Du Sommerard. Since then the collection has been enlarged with new valuable items. The Museum of the Middle Ages features the Cluny thermal baths, which are the best preserved of the three Gallo-Roman baths built in Paris in the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. Centuries ago these baths made from stone and brick were meant for the public. Still three rooms are visible. They are the frigidarium (cold room) and two caldaria (hot room). You will also find jewelry and coins, Gallo-Roman remains like the Pillar of the Boatmen and sculpted ivories from the Eastern Roman Empire.

There is another part in the museum called Abbots of Cluny, more popular as Hotel de Cluny. It dates back to the 15th century and is the largest Parisian Manson built between courtyard and garden. The Medieval garden of the museum of the of truly relaxing and intriguing spaces including the vegetable garden, the celestial garden and the garden of love is inspired by the medieval collections inside.

Don’t miss the first-floor room full of back-lit stained-glass, which you can see closer than you could ever hope to in a church. The second-floor room of reliquaries is fabulous as well. Where else could you see something built to hold Christ’s umbilical cord or a Pope’s ring?

And lastly, a tip for families with kids (or adults) who are Harry Potter fans — near the top of the stairs taking up to the Unicorn tapestries, Nicholas Flamel’s tombstone (which he himself designed before he died) is displayed on the wall. Anyone who has read the first Harry Potter book and was inspired by it like once I did, will love it!

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The town of Versailles is nestled only 20 kilometers away from capital Paris. The first mention about the town we get in 1038 when the name appeared in a charter of the Abbey of Saint-Pere de Chartres. Till the end of the 11th century Versailles was a country village with its castle and the church of Saint-Julien, which was very prosperous until the 13th century. But everything was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and after those tragic years only a handful of people lived there.

Versailles is an ideal place to leave the busy life of Paris and dive in tranquility and peace. Louis XIV did the same, who built this incredible chateau in which he established home and installed the government. Then Versailles was filled with marvelous gardens with spectacular flowers and trees from all over the world. A hunting lodge was built there and amazing fountains embellished the Palace. The building of chateau lasted until the death of Louis XIV in 1715. In 1722 when the King of France was already Louis XV Versailles was established as the residence of the royal family and remained so until the Revolution of 1789.

During the French Revolution, the valuable masterpieces of paintings, antiques, and other works of art that had been amassed at Versailles were transferred to the Louvre and other incredible items were moved to the National Library and Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. Most of the furniture, historians say, was sold at auction.

The design of the palace is absolutely breathtaking. The palace itself looks so rich that even if you pass by it for hundred times, still you will admiringly look at it as if it’s the first time you see that real piece of art. Every detail is considered. It’s worth visiting the Hall of Mirrors that some call Louis XIV’s most notable contribution to Versailles. The main character of this hall is the seventeen mirrored arches that reflect the seventeen arcades windows, which look out onto Versailles–equally-majestic garden. Every arch consists of twenty-one mirrors and the total amount of the mirrors is 357 in all arches. The role of this hall is very important for the French history especially in 1919 when World War I officially ended and Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles.

It’s a must to visit Chapel of Versailles, which is the fifth at the palace. The construction started in 1689 and finished in 1710. It presents a ‘tribune’ on the same level as the royal apartments, overlooking the nave, where the kings would sit while attending the mass. The architecture is a unique combination of Gothic and baroque styles vividly presented in paintings of medieval times and gorgeous pointed roof.

Originally known as the Apartment of the Planets because the seven halls of this apartment feature a painting of planet, the Grand Apartment has been King Louis XIV’s apartment. The entire place is very fascinating decorated with various paintings and colorful items but the most notable are the ceilings painted by Painter to the King, Charles Le Brun and his team of artists.

Many people will say that the most outstanding part of Versailles is its garden that is nestled in 250 acre area and is the largest palace garden in Europe. It was built in the 17th century by landscape gardener Andre Le Notre. The garden is laid out in a geometric pattern of paths, bushes, flowerbeds and trees. Le Notre also drained the swampy, sloping terrain and created a series of basins and a large canal, known as the Grand Canal. Countless fountains are dancing in the garden warmly welcoming the people. These fountains were installed to entertain the many guests invited to the lavish parties organized by King Louis XIV. There are a couple of small palaces in the garden like the Grand Trianon and the Petite Trianon. The first was luxurious palace where the king could escape the formalities of the court and arrange rendezvous with his mistress. Later King Louis XV built the smaller Palace called Petite Trianon and this again served the same purpose.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

Parisians call the cemetery “la cite des morts,” the city of the dead. With its rolling hills, thousands of trees, winding paths with carefully plotted “street” names and elaborate sepulchers and tombs, it’s easy to see why Pere-Lachaise is considered one of the most hauntingly beautiful places of rest. Of the twenty cemeteries in Paris Pere-Lachaise is the most famous. It now has over 70,000 plots and receives some two million visitors a year.

Once a poor district of Paris with many outlaws, winding streets and shady avenues it’s today one of the most visited places in Paris. You will hardly find a cemetery in the world that is as much visited as Pere-Lachaise. It’s situated on the hill of Champ Eveque where a wealthy merchant built his home in 1430. Pere Lachaise takes its name from Francois d’Aix de La Chaise who was a French Jesuit with a big influence and confessor of Louis XIV after 1675. In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte established Pere Lachaise in order to make a cemetery far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The cemetery has several entrances and covers about 44 ha. One of the entrances is from the underground stop named Pere Lachaise, so you can easily get there if you go by train. You can visit the cemetery in every season but try to catch a bright and sunny day to stay there longer and to explore everything you want. You can walk leisurely down the straight avenues, deviate down the less frequented serpentine paths or take the adventurous road less traveled and venture in and out between sepulchers and tombstones.

You will see more than 300,000 people who are buried at “the grandest address in Paris,” including many famous artists and writers such as:
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) – French novelist and playwright
Frederic Chopin (1810-49) – Polish Romantic composer
Colette (1873-1954) – French novelist and provocateur (legend has it that cats replenish the roses on her grave)
Delacroix (1798-1863) – French Romantic artist
Molière (1622-73) – French playwright (remains transferred in 1817)
Jim Morrison (1943-71) – American musician and poet (one of the most popular graves in Pere-Lachaise)
Alfred de Musset (1810-57) – French poet, novelist, dramatist
Edith Piaf (1915-63) – French popular singer
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) – Irish playwright and writer (remains transferred in 1909; traditional to kiss his tomb while wearing lipstick).

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

The Mona Lisa, a half-length portrait of a woman by Leonardo da Vinci, is probably the most famous painting in the world and has inspired more songs, poems and other artworks than anything else. It hangs in the Louvre on permanent display and is the property of the French Republic and as such is regarded as a national treasure. Its subtle artistry will always continue to fascinate.

As the most visited museum in the world, it has often been said of the Louvre it would take a lifetime to embrace all of its magnificence. Probably the most famous sculpture in the world resides here. Aphrodite of Milos by Alexandros of Antioch may not sound too familiar but this ancient Greek statue is commonly known as the Venus de Milo.Widely renowned for the mystery of its missing arms, it is believed this masterpiece was created between 130 and 100 BC and is a tribute to Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans) the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Made of marble, it stands 6 foot 8 inches in height, although its original plinth has been lost.

Also in the Louvre is the Ship of Fools, a painting by Hieronymus Bosch intended to exemplify the human condition. This is part of a triptych, with Yale University and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC home to the other panels. Painted in oils on wood around 1495, it is thought to portray feelings of joy, angst, frustration and the difficulties of life.

One of the older displays in the museum dates back to 1772BC. The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian legal code written in the ancient Akkadian language and survives today on a dark-grey igneous rock known as diorite stele. It is 7 foot 4 inches in height and is in the shape of a huge index finger symbolically pointing skywards.

The Museum d’Orsay on the left bank of the Seine holds mainly French art from the period 1848-1915 and is probably best known for its collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist pieces featuring such notables as Monet, Gauguin and Renoir.

Manet’s the Luncheon on the Grass is displayed here and is a large oil-on-canvas painting created in 1862 and 1863. It depicts two fully dressed men, a female nude and a scantily dressed lady in a rural setting. Its unveiling in 1863 shocked the French public but it remains today an important meditation on human freedom.

Several of the works of Vincent Van Gog can be found here, with one from September 1888 known as Starry Night over the Rhone. It commemorates a spot on the river bank in the town of Arles close to where Van Gog was renting a property. He revealed in the challenge of painting at night and his strong use of color allowed him to capture the reflections of the gas lighting on the shimmering Rhone waters.

This museum also houses a vigorous collection of over forty-five thousand photographs which serve to give us a greater understanding of this art form as well as to measure its contribution within a multidisciplinary framework. Look out particularly for a collection of over one thousand photographs and 50 auto-chromes by Paul-Burty Haviland. It is an insightful journey around aspects of human behavior.

Famous for its futuristic architecture, the Pompidou Center is a complex in the Beauborg area of the city. It houses a vast public library and center for acoustic research and the National Museum for Modern Art. Since the Center opened in 1977, it has attracted over 150 million visitors.Pop Art is an art movement that grew from post-war dissatisfaction in 1950s Britain which then spread to the USA. It blends imagery from mass culture, advertising and comic books and turns them into in-congruent and often quirky artworks. One of its finest displays is to be found at the Pompidou and features works by such luminaries as Andy Warhol.Many styles of modern art can be found at the Center. Abstract art, Fauvism, Cubism and others are all represented here. Works by Pablo Picasso, Mark Chagall and Salvador Dali all feature in this thorough exploration of the shifting artistic trends that developed through the first half of the twentieth century.

If in critical terms the school of modern art ended in 1960, then New Realism took up the mantle. It was founded by art critic Pierre Restany. Early members sought to bring life and art closer together and collage pieces and real objects incorporated directly into pieces of work underpin the ideas of the movement. The Pompidou Center hosts vibrant examples of this movement. Paris is also known as the City of Light and its relationship with the arts is an important component of this. Nowhere in the world can such effervescent, diverse displays be found. If you’re thinking of taking a holiday with a difference this year, Paris continues to be the major city for all things cultural.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

In many countries you will find a small statue of a sculpture standing smilingly and so artistically that you think he is alive and is going to create a sculptural wonder right there in the hustle and bustle of the city. Rodin statue is very popular throughout the world. The painter himself is French, so visiting France without being in Rodin museum is a big mistake.

The museum is dedicated to the life and works of Auguste Rodin who was one of the most renowned people in the 19th century French sculpture. There are two museums named Rodin in France, one is in Paris and the other in Meudon. You can get to Paris Rodin Paris by using the underground; you will see it as soon as you walk out of the station.

It was originally built as a private residence in the 18th century and has a quite large area all covered with amazing gardens where people like sitting and enjoying the natural view of this place.

This overlooked place by the tourists houses numerous works from Rodin’s collection. One of the most famous works of Rodin “The Thinker” can be found in the garden under the shadow of the trees. The museum and the garden blessed with countless masterpiece of Rodin make it alive and it seems you feel the soul and the heart of art standing there.

The adult standard ticket to the Rodin Museum Paris is priced at around 6 Euros, the price of the reduced ticket prices is 4 Euros. For those who would just visit the garden, the ticket will cost around one euro. For children and minors under 18 admission is free. The museum is a much visited place in Paris welcoming about 500,000 people each year.

Here you will see how creative human hands can be and what they masterpieces they can ultimately create. It will leave you speechless. The address is unchangeable: 77 Rue de Veronne, Paris, France.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4